Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Aug, 04
On the eve of the second anniversary of downgrading erstwhile J&K state, JKPCC Vice President Raman Bhalla on Wednesday reiterated Party’s demand of restoration of statehood and holding of assembly elections in the Union territory to address public grievances mounting with every passing day in the absence of elected govt. Our priority is restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir and holding of early assembly elections only for the time being. Former Minister was addressing prominent persons of Gandhi Nagar constituency on Wednesday. The meeting was organized by Block President Jatinder Singh Chib.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla claimed that each and every section of society said each individual in Jammu and Kashmir wanted restoration of statehood. He blamed BJP Govt in Jammu and Kashmir for the “mess they have made”.”So far, the rights and duties of district development councils have not been notified. It seems like the bureaucrats do not want to give up the powers,” he said.“We have pledged to ourselves that restoration of statehood is our priority and holding of assembly elections. We demand that the statehood should be restored immediately and elections held as soon as possible,” he said. Bhalla said BJP has always failed to deliver on their political promises made with the people whenever they came to power including J&K.Congress Party is a force to reckon with as we have delivered significantly on our commitments whenever in power. It was Congress Party which got the domicile law on jobs for J&K modified thereby ensuring protection of all categories of jobs for the youth of J&K,” he observed.He said Congress Party under the leadership of Madam Sonia Gandhi is committed for an equitable development in Jammu and Kashmir and it would ensure that there is no discrimination done in this regard on regional basis.
Bhalla said that the people including the political parties should join to fight for the promises made by the BJP during election time. “We will have to fight for our rights. I request every political party that we will get nothing by sitting quietly. Ultimately we will get what is achievable and we should all join hands for that,” he said.He also stressed on need for augmentation of infrastructure in Education, Health, Power, Jal Shakti, Tourism, Hospitality, Agriculture, Horticulture and Industrial sectors to boost the distressed economy in J&K.He stressed on the urgent demands of the people calling for confidence building political measures that will set in motion a genuine democratic exercise in Jammu and Kashmir.Downgrading J&K State decision has left indelible marks on the psyche of the people of Jammu and Kashmir especially with regard to their special rights on employment under Government services; acquisition of immovable property. He demanded a tangible legal and constitutional mechanism to be put in place to safeguard these privileges of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He pleaded that the government needs to instill a sense of belief among the people of Jammu and Kashmir on this important issue of their identity that was enshrined in the constitution of India.
Bhalla exposed tall claims of BJP Govt that it has tried its best to deliver but people still feel alienated and one of the major and justifiable reasons is that they are deprived of their democratic rights to decide their own fate. No bureaucratic set-up can replace or prove to be a dependable substitute to an elected government. He said that people in J&K feel helpless, dejected and at odds with the administrative set-up and want elections to be held so that their problems are addressed on priority. As the decision of holding elections is taken by the election commission of India in consultation with the union government to review the security scenario as one of the essential conditions for reviewing timing of polls, Bhalla said the union government must acknowledge that the overall atmosphere is conducive for holding of elections.The process of delimitation is still being viewed as a politically motivated exercise which has raised many concerns in Jammu and Kashmir.Bhalla said that people are concerned that adjustment of boundaries and description of the extent of parliamentary constituencies should not be thrust to pit one region against other for some political mileage.This serious issue needs to be addressed, he said, pleading that the delimitation exercise must be based on merit and demographic rationale.
Bhalla observed that essence of the constitution preserves the rich diversity of this country and a fundamental step in this direction is to accord constitutional protection to the locals over their natural resources. He said that a feeling of isolation among locals in J&K who feel deprived of their legal rights over natural resources needs to be addressed on priority.Bhalla demanded government of India to come up with a comprehensive policy that can absorb lakhs of unemployed skilled and unskilled youth in Jammu and Kashmir. Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J&K’s development trajectory,” he said. Building trust in Jammu and Kashmir is necessary today. Restoration of full statehood of Jammu and Kashmir will be the first trust-building exercise from New Delhi side,” said former Minister.He also appealed Concerned authorities to take immediate necessary for construction of proper road , provisions for pure drinking water and electricity which is lacking in several areas for last seven years which is matter of great concern and agony.
Bhalla further said that it is highly unfortunate that the present dispensation in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has started indulging in selective tokenism, with its administration not able to grapple with the complexities and challenges of governance,” he remarked. He said that instead of focussing on public welfare measures and addressing issues of basic amnesties the government has restored to kind of chicanery in order to cover up for its ineptitude and mal-governance. Similarly, thousands of daily wagers, contractual lecturers, ITI trained labourers, daily rated workers and other causal labourers have been left with no option but to go for strike and protests,” Bhalla said, adding that instead of listening to them the UT government has left these important sections of the society to the mercy of ruthless policing. He said that development in all the regions and sub regions of J&K, urban and rural areas alike, has become a big casualty due to self centric approach of BJP Govt who are unfortunately again trying to hoodwink the public opinion by making false and misleading promises and indulging in emotive politics. Terming Congress Party as a dependable political platform for the people of J&K, Bhalla said assuaging socio-economic and political aspirations of the people and undertaking development on a massive scale holds key to steer J&K to peace and prosperity.
